Stuart Hamilton is the new head of the libraries development unit in Libraries Ireland.
There was a time when you’d be afraid to go into your public library in case they remembered the big fine you hadn’t paid. We’ve come lightyears since and now is an exciting time for libraries, as Stuart explains.
“The Library is probably the best kept secret in your community.
“Libraries in Ireland are at the forefront of all that’s good happening libraries in Europe. Recent investment coupled with the new services we have - plus the fact that you can access all the books in the country - marks us out as very different from other countries.
“Across the entire country, fines are gone and your library membership card is completely free.
“When you get your library card, you can access any of 15 million print books and we have thousands more e-books, e-magazines and e-newspapers.
“You can of course go into a library without a membership card. We’ve always been community-centred and anybody in the community - or from outside - can go into our library buildings. Libraries are community hubs. They’ve always been community hubs.
“We have 333 public library branches and 31 mobile libraries.
“We’re taking advantage of the technology everybody has in their pockets to bring our services to you whether you’re in the library building or at home. So you can access our digital services on your mobile phone.
“Also, there are now about 15 branches in the My Open Library service. We are working with the Department of Rural and Community Development to bring this to a new level by 2022. Let’s say you’re busy: We want to make sure that our services are open to you after working hours.
“I’d encourage people to go to www.librariesireland.ie and there you can join the library, see what services we have and, if you have an idea for us, I want to hear about it.” said Stuart.
- in conversation with Allen Meagher.
